Los Padres National Forest brush fire grows to 3,500 acres

Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Members of the Bureau of Land Management's Kern Valley Hotshots board a helicopter at Chuchupate Ranger Station in Los Padres National Forest to be dropped high on top of mountains to fight the Grand fire. Firefighters continued battling the 3,500-acre brush fire in Kern County on Thursday morning. The fire started about 1 p.m. Wednesday near Frazier Park, and burned near the border with Los Angeles County. The fire was about 15% contained Thursday morning, officials said. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has sent about 180 personnel to assist in the firefighting effort, along with a helicopter, two bulldozers and two water tanker trucks.

Members of the Bureau of Land Management's Kern Valley Hotshots board a helicopter at Chuchupate Ranger Station in Los Padres National Forest to be dropped high on top of mountains to fight the Grand fire. Firefighters continued battling the 3,500-acre brush fire in Kern County on Thursday morning. The fire started about 1 p.m. Wednesday near Frazier Park, and burned near the border with Los Angeles County. The fire was about 15% contained Thursday morning, officials said. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has sent about 180 personnel to assist in the firefighting effort, along with a helicopter, two bulldozers and two water tanker trucks. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Fire retardant is dropped as firefighters continue battling a 3,500-acre brush fire in Kern County. Air quality officials issued a smoke advisory for Los Angeles County areas. "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke," the South Coast Air Quality Management District said in a statement.

Fire retardant is dropped as firefighters continue battling a 3,500-acre brush fire in Kern County. Air quality officials issued a smoke advisory for Los Angeles County areas. "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke," the South Coast Air Quality Management District said in a statement. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)